Goals for 2015

Its that time of the year to make resolutions (that I hope to keep) for the coming year. We look back to the year that was and hope for a better year. Here are mine, I'll be more specific and hoping this time I can do it. Keeping my fingers crossed.

1. Substitute quinoa/brown rice with white rice.
2. Jog at least 2 times a week.
3. Read at least 1 book in a month.
4. Organize important documents.
5. Lose 20 pounds in 3-4 months!
6. 52-week challenge
7. Invest in stocks, mutual funds, Philequity
8. Sell or donate unused things.
9. Celebrate a birthday by donating to charity.
10. Baby #2

Dear Keisha (At 23 months and 26 days)

Where did the time go? I winked and now you are almost 2 years old?! You look so "dalaga" here!

Waiting for our Shinkansen

We already ordered your special rainbow cake since Mommy cannot make that one yet. But I will bake cupcakes to go with it. :)

Couldn't keep up with your milestones, you are a sponge! You say everything you hear, you follow our actions and you do it in a funny and adorable way! :)

We had our early 2nd birthday celebration at Japan. We went to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. And my darling, you were such a trooper! You may have some tantrums every now and then but I still adore you! :)

Daddy posted pictures of you, throughout our Japan trip, and everybody says you are beautiful and charming! They loved your smile and outfits! :)

Daddy told me that you were even asking him to take photos of you. Sometimes I remind myself you are only 2, why do you have to act and look so grown-up! Where did my baby Keisha go? I love you very much! :)

I promise we will have the best time on our stay-cation! We opted not to have a party celebration because we already celebrated in Japan. Remember darling, Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer. :)

Your Mommy,
Pat

Keisha's 1st Birthday at Stacy's Capitol Greenstreet

We celebrated Keisha's 1st Birthday on Stacy's Capitol Greenstreet last 9th of November 2013. Her actual birthday is November 6, but we decided to make the celebration a few days after.

Initially, we were planning to celebrate in Singapore where we are working/residing. But since all the lolos and lolas requested for us to fly back home to celebrate Keisha's birthday, we happily obliged!

Nevermind, if we already went home 3 times. First for Keisha's baptism, 2nd for my brother's wedding and 3rd for her 2nd operation in the pre-auricular sinus. And we're still going home for Christmas! Quota na! Hehehe but seriously anything for family. :)

I got to know Stacy's from n@w (newlyweds at work), they held a tea party there for the n@wie kids. I loved the place from what I saw from the pictures. We started communicating mid-September 2013 with Angelique, and she is so nice and accommodating. She responds quickly too!

With less than 2 months to prepare, thank God I have my younger sister Mabel to be the events coordinator help me in the preparations! We communicate so well, she knows what I want, understands what I mean and thank God for whatsapp we survived party planning with flying colors!!!

I love everything about Keisha's party. It's just right. I don't really want to compare it to anybody else's party because each children is unique. And we have different priorities in life, so this is how we decided to celebrate our Keisha's party, what matters is we are happy about it.

Let's look into the details, shall we.

Venue : Stacy's Capitol Greenstreet (https://www.facebook.com/stacys.resto)
Rating : 9.5/10

Stacy's

I would give Stacy's a perfect score if it weren't for a minor thing that happened during Keisha's Birthday. The aircon was spoilt and the staff could not adjust it to the correct settings! We were already sweating inside. But Angelique was very apologetic, as well as her staff and she even gave me extra dessert to make up for it.

Angelique, the owner as I said were very nice and accommodating. She responds quickly and thoroughly to all my questions. Which is comforting for me, since I could not be there physically to inspect the venue and talk to her.

When I met her, she was very warm and helpful. She was personally taking care of all the details, which I truly appreciate.

I love the party set-up! Even though the veranda is separated from the main dining area, the charm of Stacy's makes up for it. :)

The food is so delicious!!! We availed the full course dinner package, since the party time is 3-6pm.

Grilled Shrimp and Pomelo Salad in Asian Dressing, Pumpkin Soup, Texas BBQ Ribs, Potato Chip Fried Chicken with mushroom gravy, Herbed Cream Dory with Aioli Dip, Spaghetti with Meatballs, Rice, Chocolate Cake slices and 1 round of iced tea.

So happy that Stacy's delivered so well. :)

Birthday Cake : The Bunny Baker (https://www.facebook.com/thebunnybaker)
Rating : 9/10

Cath Kidston inspired Birthday Cake

What a pretty cake!!! Definitely what I expected and more to complement our party theme. But unfortunately I did not get to taste it. According to my sister, it tastes bland. So I would give it only a 9 since I don't really know for sure what it tastes like.

Milk Tea Booth : My Serendipitea (https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-SerendipiTea/210063765752190)
Rating : 9/10

I love milk tea! Honestly, i would say Serenitea is still better but they are expensive. Nevertheless, it's still yummy! :)

Face Painting : By supplier partyboosters
Rating : 9.5/10

Face Painting

The face painter was so good! Giving it a 9.5 because I did not get to try it myself! Hehe. :)

Kids Activities : Read, Play and Create (https://www.facebook.com/readplaycreate)
Rating : 9/10 

Story telling

Play

I knew I wanted something different than the usual for the Kids activities. Especially because Stacy's has some space limitations. We cannot do the usual magician entertainment, because somehow it does not suit the venue. So here comes RPC. Not sure how exactly I discovered them, but I'm happy I did. :)

The "Read" set-up was lovely! And the kids enjoyed to "create and play!" Not the usual route, but definitely educational! :)

Photographer : Shuttercount (https://www.facebook.com/shuttercountworks)
Rating : 9.75/10

Shuttercount

I discovered Shuttercount ever since Keisha's baptism and we kept getting them for events! Super nice si Ed! In fairness, even my husband agreed that they improved a lot during Keisha's birthday! :) Super value for the money! No problems with them whatsoever, always on time and efficient! :)

Keisha's dress : Yumi's nook child at Heart (https://www.facebook.com/yumisnookfanpage)
Rating : 8.75/10

Dress 1

Dress 2

I love Keisha's birthday dress, but I wish I could have ordered a more comfortable gown for her. Hahaha! Tiis ganda lang ang peg ni Keisha! The first gown is so puffy, it's so uncomfortable to carry her around.

But I love the 2nd dress, Cath Kidston style! It's beautiful! :)

Souvenirs : Wooden Kiddie Stools (https://www.facebook.com/woodenkiddiestools)
Rating : 10/10

Midi Stools

Letter Standees

It's a pity that we did not have better pictures of the wooden kiddie stools! Look at them so cute and dainty, even the toy soldier stools!!! Plus I ordered letter standees. :) 

I'm so thankful with this supplier that they can accommodate my order at such a short notice. She is a fellow n@wie. :)

DIY : By me, Mabel & Ate Karen
Rating : 10/10

1 Pinata, Scrapbook, Hashtag project

Party Hat

Party Favors in a hand-sewn bag

Our gifts to the Lolo and Lola

Love your own! Everything we DIY-ed is so so good and well appreciated! Thank you everyone for all your help for making Keisha's 1st Birthday so much fun! :) :) :)

Dear Keisha (At 19 months and 22 days)

Dear Keisha,

This picture was taken when you were still turning 19 months, but this is one of my favorite pictures of you. Look at you, all grown up and getting more beautiful each day! :)

Everyday, you amaze us how you've grown and with all your physical, mental and social developments. Mommy has been so busy, she has not kept track of your milestones. I promise I will pay more attention to your developments and I will organize Keisha's playschool at home. :)

At 19 months, you can say Happy Birthday, and speak 3-4 syllables, almost 30 words I believe.. You can very well repeat what we say, so mommy and daddy must be very careful what we speak. You can recognize your family, and I am very happy you do. But you still cry when strangers approach you, I hope we get over this soon. You can jump higher and sing and dance. I noticed you like playing musical instruments, your small piano given by your ninang and ninong. You can name parts of your face and body. And recognize the name of more and more objects.

Just last weekend, we went home for 3 days for your Lola's birthday and I am so happy you charmed everyone!!! You were so bibo, smart, malikot and makulit! They all said you were amazing to be so daldal at that age! I love you my Keisha girl! :)

Your mommy,
Pat

Dear Keisha (At 17 months and 1 day)

Dear Keisha,

You just turned 17 months yesterday and oh how you've grown to be a very beautiful little lady. We had a photoshoot last saturday and as always you were smiling and posing for the camera of your daddy. You're so adorable! :)

Your lolo Jun commented "Pang Ms Universe ang beauty mo!" I definitely agree! Me and your dad of all people is so inlove with your beauty, cuteness and your personality. 

At 17 months, you can walk fast that we had a hard time keeping up. You can speak a 3-syllable word. Some words are Lola, barbie, bayabas, baba, mommy, daddy, etc. You can repeat everything we say. You can jump and tiptoe. You can climb any bed or chair with ease. You can have your way around the house. You have tantrums once in a while and when you notice that mommy daddy or yaya became angry, you will charm your way out of it. 

Eversince, you've been so charming with strangers specially waiters and waitresses to the point of looking or touching them to get their attention. I'm not so sure if that's a good or bad thing. Hahaha. 

I was browsing playgroup options for you prior to this blogpost. Here in Singapore, you can start as early as 18 months. But I'm still thinking if we should push through. 

Everything we do, is for you. We love you Keisha!

Your mommy,
Pat

Dear Keisha (At 14 months and 30 days)

Dear Keisha,

Sorry for not having the time to continue this tradition since my last letter. I have been so busy preparing your birthday, preparing for the holidays, etc. Before that you had a major operation on your pre-auricular sinus, so you can understand that blogging will be the last thing on my mind because I was worried.

It's much different now compared to when you were an infant. You're so active, daldal and your character is really showing.

During weekdays, we only get to play during nighttime but still you give us so much joy. When we arrive at the doorstep, you are so excited to walk towards us. Priceless moment!

You started to really walk without our help, at exactly 13 months. From then, you really explored! You love walking around the house starting from the living room to dining, then to kitchen. So amusing now you learned how to knock on our rooms.

What an appetite you have there little darling! You eat rice and veggies, 2x a day. You love your organic biscuit and can now ask for milk. You call it "mei-mei!" How cute, really!!! :)

And your hair is growing now, look at you rocking your cheongsam last CNY 2014.

CNY 2014 at Chinese Garden, SG

Just the other day, your ninang told us that you have learned how to play hide and seek. How talented our little Keisha can get. I love you so much!!! :)

Your mommy,
Pat
 

Keisha's 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th month celebration

Sorry for the very late post, been so pre-occupied with everyday life that I forgot to update this blog.

Keisha @ 8th month. Celebrated at home. :)

Keisha @ 9th month. Celebrated at home because not feeling so well..

Keisha @ 10th month. Celebrated with Lolos and Lolas in the Philippines. :)

Keisha @ 11th month. Celebrated with my family because they made a surprise visit. :)

Keisha's 7th month celebration

It was a weekday, so we celebrated at home. I bought from twelve cupcakes as her celebration (cup) cake. :)




Keisha at 7 months

Look at her so pretty on a dress from her tita Mabel. :) My little girl is really growing up to be so charming and sweet. :) Happy 7th month my sweetheart! :)

Dear Keisha (At 30 weeks and 1 day)

Hello my cutie patootie!

Gosh, you are almost 7 months old! You are so tall and active now!

You can crawl and can do all fours! Your hair is growing too, slowly but surely hehe.


Playtime with daddy







Keisha looks so bored! Haha!

Last Sunday, we went to Natalie's 3rd Birthday Party but you were sleepy so you were not able to play that much! Look at you still looking so cute on the swing! Are you bored, baby Keisha? Hehehe!

We shall go back to Hokey Pokey when you are a little bit older. :)

Ear Piercing for babies

Eversince Keisha was 2 months old, I've been searching where I can get her ears pierced. You see, here in Singapore it is not a standard procedure for newborn girls. Back in the Philippines, it was.

 

I asked around, and I searched online forums. I found "The Neptune Clinic" in Clementi. Good thing it was near our new place.

The testimonial in MummySG forum seems fine for me, so I called them. They said I can just walk in and warned me that Saturdays can mean longer waiting time.

So we went last Saturday and arrived 8:30am. There were 3 people ahead of us, but we had to wait for about one hour because the anesthesia has to take effect. I brought toys for her to play with, while waiting and during the procedure.

Let the pictures do the talking. I'm so proud of Baby Keisha, she is so brave! No tears or fussiness all throughout the procedure! :)

Keisha waiting for her turn

Inside the doctor's room

My brave Keisha!

 

Keisha's red ears





Back Home.. no tears!

 

Dear Keisha (At 28 weeks and 4 days)

Hello sweetheart!

We got to spend the whole day yesterday because it is a non-working holiday (Vesak Day) in Singapore.

For the first time, I helped to bathe you. I promise mommy will be the one to bathe you whenever possible. :)

We fed you potatoes, and you are so happy eating it! You were sleepy towards the end, so I let you sleep since you already finished almost half of what I prepared. Mommy and Daddy finished your leftovers.

You are so talkative! We heard you say "wawa" and we are so happy! You keep on murmuring something, but we cannot seem to understand you yet. I'm so happy with your developmental progress.

You seem to love our new house and our bed because you keep on rolling around all day. :)

Can't wait to be with you later, mommy is at work now but always thinking of you. :)

Dear Keisha (At 28 weeks and 2 days)

Hello my little darling! :)

You're already 6 months, 2 weeks! And how you've grown! :)

You started eating solids last week, and you liked your first taste of mashed apple. Then avocado, then potato. Mommy is still thinking what to give you next. :)

Enjoying your mashed avocado

I'm planning to use the approach baby-led weaning, so you can learn to pick up food on your own.

You can almost sit on your own and you respond to me more. But your daddy is really your clown, you adore him so much! :)
 

Keisha's 6th Month Celebration

We had our mini-photoshoot at Hort Park in preparation for our darling Keisha's 6th month celebration.

Here are some of the photos, isn't she adorable?

During the day of her actual 6th month birthday, we had a mini-feast. Soon, you'll be turning one. You're growing up so fast, my little one. :)

Dear Keisha (At 25 weeks and 3 days)

Hello my sweetheart! :)

Mommy and Daddy is so excited that you are almost 6 months old now! Last Wednesday (May 1), we had a photoshoot for your 6th month. We made you wear a one piece dress with tutu skirt, with different headdress. You're so adorable! :)

You can almost sit on your own now. Just the other day, you learned how to stick your tongue out, it made us laugh so hard! You are really trying to speak, as if you are saying something. Can't wait for the day you utter your first word. I hope we get to hear it, baby girl! :)

Keisha's 5th month celebration

She had her check-up and vaccination at exactly 5 months. So there was no picture to post, we just stayed home that Saturday let her rest.

The next day, we went to church. Thus, the inevitable photo shoot at St. Therese Church before the mass started. Definitely one of my favorite photos of me & baby Keisha. Love love love! :)

Dear Keisha (At 23 weeks and 2 days)

Hello my little darling! :)

Mommy just finished reading up about Solid Foods from Kellymom blogs. How fast time flies, you will be 6 months old in less than 3 weeks!

We already bought a high-chair in preparation your first solids. Look at you, already enjoying your new chair.

Keisha in her high-chair


I plan to give you blended/pureed avocado or squash. I've read that avocado contains a lot of nutrients that is good for you.

You tend to cry whenever your sleepy or just woke up, but Mommy promise to be more patient with you.

We have our mommy-baby bonding time around 6-7pm when I arrive home from work. You like to roll around mommy & daddy's bed. When you are bored, I will let you play with the soft books, talking puppy or let you use your teether. I also kiss your face, tummy, hands, underarms and feet and you really like it and you respond by making a cute sound. :)

Mommy and Daddy loves you very much!!! We will always be proud of you. :)

Dear Keisha (At 19 weeks and 3 days)

Hello my beautiful baby girl! I was inspired to do this because I got the idea from some mommy bloggers. I promise to do this, at least once a week so we can chronicle your journey thru my blog. :)

My Lola Agnes' Birthday Cake

It was your Lola Agnes' birthday yesterday. We were supposed to meet with someone yesterday but that did not push through, so we decided to buy a birthday cake for your Lola instead and rush home to see you.

When we arrived home, it was such a joy to see that you were standing on your own for a good ten seconds!!! Oh those strong knees! And I got to know that you rolled 3 times earlier that day! We are so proud of you baby girl! :)

You are so much more talkative now, making all those funny sounds! Wish I could stay home and listen and talk to you all day, but mommy & daddy needs to work for your future! We love you so much! :)
 

Rolling Over

Baby Keisha finally rolled over yesterday afternoon, after weeks of making her practice. She already rolled over from tummy to back around a month ago, but now she did from back to tummy! So proud of her! Good thing, we took the day-off and was able to record a video of her doing it for the very first time. :)

She also had her 4th month check up and vaccination at International Child and Adolescent Clinic, Gleneagles Hospital. She weighed 6.8 kgs and 63 cm height. And just like last month, after the vaccination she just cried for ten seconds, and when we carried her she stopped crying.

Please follow this link to watch the video of Keisha rolling over. :)

Baby Keisha's Monthly Birthday Celebration

1st Month

2nd Month

3rd Month

 

4th Month

My birthing story at Gleneagles Hospital

Almost 3 months ago, I gave birth to our beautiful baby girl Elisha Kendra. It's true what they always say, all the pains and sacrifices you experienced during childbirth is worth once you see your baby. I decided to blog my birthing story, so I won't forget the details of this life-changing experience.

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I was scheduled for a pre-natal check up on 5th November 2012 (around 39 weeks and 4 days). I was already feeling anxious because I felt backpains the night before. I just knew that I'll be giving birth soon.

Dr. Lisa Chin, my OB-Gyne did an ultrasound and told me that my amniotic fluid was low and the baby is very engaged already, so she needed to induce me. So that's why, I've been feeling those backpains! I agreed and she immediately gave me an inducing tablet at 4pm.

She instructed us to come back at 8PM for admission. After doing some more tests to make sure our baby is okay, we went back home to pack our things. My mom told me to sleep some more, while she prepared our dinner. I barely slept... I was so excited, anxious and nervous!

We arrived at Gleneagles around 8:30PM, and was admitted to a one-bedded private room. My mom wanted to stay at the hospital until I gave birth, but she was not allowed to sleep inside the room. Because there was a rule that only one lodger must stay overnight. She just stayed at the lobby and waited patiently for our beautiful baby girl to come out.

Hubby and I barely slept throughout the night. Dr. Lisa ordered the nurse that if my labor is not progressing by midnight, they will have to give me another inducing tablet. So they did. I was only 1 cm dilated.

And the labor pains started to feel like very bad backpains... I keep tossing back and forth wishing the pain would stop. We tried sitting on the bench, on the couch, walking inside the room, hubby massaging my lower back, but the pain is still there and had no plans of going away.

Around 5AM, I took a shower to help me relax more because I was about to be transferred to the delivery ward at 6AM. I took a light breakfast, to give me more energy for labor and pushing.

Meanwhile at the delivery ward, I was relieved to know that my nurse is a Filipina, Ate Evelyn. I could not have made it through without her, and my hubby. They encouraged me, held my hand, took care of me all throughout and I'm so thankful.

Dr. Lisa arrived around 8AM, and she was convincing me to take epidural because she know I am scared of pain! Hahaha! I thought about it for a while, but I gave in anyway because I read somewhere that the drip is much more painful!

Dr. Dick Tay, the anesthesiologist arrived past 9AM. He introduced himself, made some chitchat and explained to me the whole procedure. He is very nice and friendly. I find him very good because I did not feel anything! I tried so hard not to think about the big needle that was about to be injected to my spine.. I just looked at my hubby, closed my eyes and tried to imagine our baby.

I stared to feel numb from waist down 15 minutes after I was given epidural. It was a very weird feeling, not to feel anything. (Hahaha so redundant!) But I'm so thankful that I asked for an epidural because Dr. Lisa burst my water bag around 10AM.

By 12PM, I was 5cm dilated. 1:30PM, I was 9.5cm dilated. Ohhhhhh that crucial 0.5cm before I was fully dilated... we had to wait more than an hour! I was starting to feel tired, hungry and bored. Not a good combination. So, I looked outside and it was raining so hard!

By 3PM, Dr. Lisa instructed Ate Evelyn to teach me how to push because I was already fully dilated. Then the frustration started! I did not know how to push! It could be due to a number of reasons...

First, I was in epidural so there was no "urge to push." We just relied on the monitor to know when I was having contractions. Second, it's almost a day of labor! I was tired, thirsty and hungry. Third, Ate Evelyn explained that the breathing technique was just like swimming. But I never learned how to swim inspite of Hubby's numerous attempt to teach me. Also, I must have skipped to read about the "pushing part" of childbirth... hahaha! How dumb can I get?!

By 5PM, everybody is getting anxious already because I have been pushing for 2 hours! Thank God baby Elisha's heart rate is very good... If not, Dr. Lisa could have ordered for a CS because I can't push the baby out. Dr. Lisa told me she will perform vacuum delivery and Ate Evelyn called another nurse to help her to push my tummy.

And beautiful baby Elisha Kendra came out at 5:16PM, weighing 3.165 kgs. She was placed at my chest and it was love at first sight. :)